Study Ties High Protein Diet to Lower Blood Pressure in Adults

Intake of high protein diet helps reduces the risk of hypertension in adults, a new study reveals.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is known to affect one in three adults in the United States and two thirds of the people above the age of 65 years. Nearly 78.6 million are clinically obese, which is a major risk factor for hypertension. It is known to be the second leading cause of chronic kidney disease. Hypertension is also called a silent killer as it occurs with no signs and symptoms. It is known to raise the risk of stroke and heart diseases, the leading causes of death among Americans.

The latest study, led by researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine, found that adults who consume high protein diet - an average of 100g protein/day - have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure. The risk dropped by almost 40 percent when compared to those with lowest intake level.

To investigate the association, the researchers evaluated the intake of protein in healthy participants who were a part of the Framingham Offspring Study. The participants were monitored for a period of 11 years for the development of high blood pressure. 

The researchers noticed that, participants who consumed more protein-animal or plant source - had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure levels after four years of follow up. The positive effect of high protein diet was seen in both overweight (BMI more than 25 kg/m2) or normal weight (BMI less than 25 Kg/m2)

They also observed that consuming more dietary protein was linked with lower long-term risk for high blood pressure. When characterized by high-fiber intake, higher protein consumption led to 40-60 percent reduction in the risk of hypertension.

"These results provide no evidence to suggest that individuals concerned about the development of HBP should avoid dietary protein. Rather, protein intake may play a role in the long-term prevention of HBP," explained corresponding author Lynn Moore, associate professor of medicine at BUSM. "This growing body of research on the vascular benefits of protein, including this study, suggest we need to revisit optimal protein intake for optimal heart health."

The study was published in the American Journal of Hypertension.